Recently I am beginning to understand why people become so frustrated when need for action is denied, that they self-immolate.
With the increasing recognition of the effects of global warming being voiced in the media, it is clear that the world collectively is not doing enough to slow the process down, let alone reverse it. I have a constant feeling of impending doom as disaster after disaster is happening, all round the world.
Cyclone Idai, which affected south-east Africa very recently, has been dubbed the worst disaster to occur in the southern hemisphere, and the countries worst affected are not wealthy and will struggle to restore life to normal.
The irony is that every time viable suggestions are made for action which could be taken to avert disastrous temperature increases and the consequent catastrophic weather events, the immediate response is that the economic cost of the suggested measures make it inappropriate to proceed.
Has anyone bothered to add up the costs accruing from the increasing numbers of major disasters – hurricanes, cyclones, wild fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, etc – which have occurred in the last decade or two? To reduce the bill, some funds have been withheld, as, for example, in Puerto Rico, which is only regarded as part of the USA when it suits the White House!
And if it were not enough to have ‘natural’ disasters occurring with increasing frequency, (let’s forget for a moment that consensus now accepts that it is human beings use of fossil fuels which has disturbed the balance of nature), we also have a rising flood of crimes against humanity in terms of events such as the Christchurch massacre and the attempt by ISIS to set up a caliphate, based on a warped interpretation of the Qur’an.
Why do people feel it so necessary to not only dislike others because of their culture or religion but feel it is appropriate to actually hate them enough to kill them?
Talking with friends recently, there was general agreement that, increasingly in recent years, unpleasant language is used in public to an extent that was never publicly acceptable a generation or two ago. So many people just do not care if they offend others, in fact scorn anyone who criticises rude or unpleasant behaviour towards strangers.
Lack of respect for others (not to mention lack of respect for the environment and for biodiversity), plus lack of empathy for those in need, highlights the hypocrisy of many who claim to believe in Christianity or be guided by some religious moral code.
Also lurking in the background is the extent to which acquisition of wealth, synonymous with power, has become a religion for global corporations, creating monopolies which effectively dictate to governments. And among those for whom making money is paramount are the arms manufacturers, who make sure that those fighting have all the latest mod cons!
One of the first essentials for life is clean water. We are not managing it very well. Here in Australia we have practically destroyed the vitally important Murray/Darling system and all round the world, water is being polluted by fracking.
Another essential is clean air, and the health costs associated with a lack of this commodity are staggering.
Perhaps we need the world to be wiped out, because mankind has become the destroyer of all.
At the present rate of progress, those dreaming of colonising some planet not too far, far away will run out of time while the earth burns and crumbles!
We do not deserve to survive if we can allow our populations to be reduced to fighting each other for no good reason, while we fail to ensure that life can be viable as well as enjoyable!
I keep trying to be optimistic, but it becomes a losing battle when not enough people care enough to ensure that necessary action is taken in time!
The School Strike 4 Climate showed the way to tell the government to act. Now we all need to be out there!
[textblock style=”7″]
Like what we do at The AIMN?
You’ll like it even more knowing that your donation will help us to keep up the good fight.
Chuck in a few bucks and see just how far it goes!
[/textblock]
